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06/02 17:41 CDT Sean McVay doesn't shoot down speculation on Aaron Donald
returning to Rams alongside Myles Garrett
Sean McVay doesn't shoot down speculation on Aaron Donald returning to Rams
alongside Myles Garrett
By GREG BEACHAM
AP Sports Writer
LOS ANGELES (AP) --- While the Los Angeles Rams would never close the door on
Aaron Donald's possible return to the NFL, coach Sean McVay confirms it's
entirely up to the superstar defensive tackle to open that door if he wants to
play alongside Myles Garrett.
The possibility of Donald's return from two seasons in retirement became a hot
topic almost immediately after the Rams swung their blockbuster trade Monday to
acquire Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Now 35 years old, Donald walked away
in March 2024 after a prolific 10-year career spent entirely with the Rams.
When McVay was asked about Donald during Garrett's introductory news conference
Tuesday, the coach gave no indication Donald would make the decision to return
--- but he didn't exactly tamp down the speculation, either.
"Aaron is a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect
that he has for Myles," McVay said. "Talked to him about the opportunity to be
able to bring (Garrett) on board. If Aaron decides he wants to dust them off at
the age of 35, I bet you he could still do it at a pretty high clip."
ESPN personality Pat McAfee stoked the idea on Tuesday when he said he had
texted about a comeback with Donald. McAfee said Donald told him that Garrett's
arrival in LA "for sure got me thinking," and that he's "gotta see if that fire
can light back up."
Donald racked up eight All-Pro selections, 10 Pro Bowl nods, three AP Defensive
Player of the Year awards and a Super Bowl ring during 10 seasons in St. Louis
and Los Angeles. He went out near the top of his game with a franchise-record
111 sacks as the NFL's best interior pass rusher, saying he was ready to step
back from the daily grind required to maintain that level of play.
But because Donald retired at a relatively young age for defensive linemen, his
possible return has been a topic of conversation for two full years in Los
Angeles, where the Pittsburgh native still spends most of his time with his
family. Rams fans openly pined for his return last season while the team
appeared capable of making a second Super Bowl run, but Donald resisted the
lure.
Donald even worked out with Jared Verse, the first-round pick and rising star
edge rusher who was traded to Cleveland along with three high draft picks. The
Rams gave up a fortune to get Garrett, the two-time AP Defensive Player of the
Year and one of Donald's very few peers in the 21st century.
Garrett has previously spoken of his respect for Donald's game, and the Rams'
new superstar nodded along Tuesday while McVay praised Donald.
The Rams' defensive line is already strong, with Garrett joining 12-sack edge
rusher Byron Young and strong interior linemen Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and
Poona Ford. Garrett has already secured his No. 95 jersey from Ford, who wore
it with the Rams last season.
"There was a conversation," Garrett said with a laugh.
"A conversation and a couple of bucks?" McVay interjected.
"Maybe more than a couple of bucks," Garrett said with a laugh. "He was open to
it."
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL
